Book Series Tribute: FrontLines by Marko Kloos

Ask yourself one question; if you could be anything in another life, what would it be? Wait, don’t tell me. Let’s add in some very defining attributes to your life.

You’re poor; you live in government welfare housing with hundreds of thousands if not millions of people. Adding more salt to the wound that is your life, you are forced to live off government issued Calorie rations, meal to meal; Everyday. Not to mention if your neighborhood doesn’t fall in line with the laws, the government can and will cut off food, water, or electricity. You know, since you are living in “their city.” Besides all this, there are an abundance of criminal gangs roaming the street; mostly trying to take anything everyone else has.

So let’s recap, you’re dirt poor, your sole dependency is on a government that finds you very expendable and your neighbors would rather rob you at gun point than help you.. Your alternate life sounds fantastic.

So I’ll ask you again, if you could be anything in this life, what would it be?

Wait.. wait.. Wait.. I almost forgot. You’re only way out is joining the military.

Yeah I know, limits your options.

Sounds easy right? … Well I’ll just stop you right there and inform you that you might just be S.O.L. The military actually discourages you from serving.

I know I know; that’s complete nonsense, because if you walk outside right now you’ll probably be bombarded by recruiters. Well slim, in this new life, the recruiters sit back and think of new ways to turn people away from this prestigious military.

I can tell that our minds have clicked during this conversation and I now have second thoughts. I won’t ask you what you would be in the new life. What I should ask you is, could you even survive this new life?